Diane Abbot is the first Labour MP to break ranks publicly, telling Andrew Neil live on the BBC’s “Politics” programme last night that Blunkett would be gone by Christmas because he couldn’t be in the courts and in charge of the courts.

Keith Best, chief executive of the Immigration Advisory Service, said yesterday “Even if some misguided civil servant, tried to get this one through and said, ‘Don’t refuse this one’, even if that’s been done without David Blunkett’s knowledge, he is effectively taking the decision. It’s a very clear degree of ministerial responsibility.” He also said that a precedent had been set which could result in thousands of nannies jumping the immigration rules.

The Poll by YouGov makes interesting reading, a majority believe Blunkett did fast-track the Nanny. Most believe he should resign and an overwhelming majority have little sympathy for him or her!

Truth is that in Westminster there is a lot more bi-partisan sympathy than there is in the country. Which just shows how out of touch politicians can be.